Discussion Title: Do we need a vaccine to fight the Covid-19 pandemic?

1. We need a vaccine to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
1.1. Pro: Vaccines protect us from diseases by giving us immunity without getting sick.
1.1.1. Pro: By avoiding sickness, a significant number of lives are saved.
1.1.1.1. Pro: More than [4,000,000 lives](https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/) have been lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
1.1.1.1.1. Pro: Many frontline workers, such as [doctors](https://www.bmj.com/covid-memorial), have lost their lives while treating Covid-19 patients.
1.1.1.2. Con: The mortality rate for Covid-19 has [fallen](https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/coronavirus-data-explorer?zoomToSelection=true&time=2020-03-14..latest&pickerSort=asc&pickerMetric=location&hideControls=true&Metric=Case+fatality+rate&Interval=Cumulative&Relative+to+Population=false&Align+outbreaks=true&country=OWID_WRL~USA~ITA~BRA~ESP~SWE~DEU~IND~IRN~KOR~NZL) precipitously as treatment methods have improved. It is possible that we can get the mortality rate even lower over time, reducing the need for vaccines.
1.1.1.2.1. Con: If vaccines themselves are shown to reduce mortality rates, it is unethical to pursue a less effective option, as this would unnecessarily prolong the suffering for the virus' victims.
1.1.1.3. Pro: In places where Covid-19 patients [overrun healthcare facilities](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/covid-overwhelmed-hospitals-strain-staff-and-hope-to-avoid-rationing-care1/), patients with other diseases are often left without adequate care, leading to further deaths.
1.1.1.3.1. Pro: Studies have [found](https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/11/e043828)(Dramatic reductions were detected in the demand for, and supply of, cancer services which have not fully recovered with lockdown easing. These may contribute, over a 1-year time horizon, to substantial excess mortality among people with cancer and multimorbidity.) that Covid-19 has reduced or [delayed](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/31/patients-in-limbo-after-cancelled-cancer-surgery-as-covid-delays-nhs-care) cancer treatments, contributing to higher mortality rates from otherwise treatable conditions.
1.1.2. Pro: By avoiding sickness, many people are saved from health complications that may arise from contracting Covid-19.
1.1.2.1. Pro: Some people [experience](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects.html) new or ongoing symptoms for weeks or months after initial infection by SARS-CoV-2.
1.1.2.2. Pro: Older adults, who are [at greater risk of suffering](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/older-adults.html) from severe symptoms of Covid-19 infection, are particularly benefited.
1.1.2.3. Pro: Many people \(both with severe and mild symptoms\) who contract Covid-19 suffer from [Long Covid](https://academic.oup.com/fampra/advance-article/doi/10.1093/fampra/cmab076/6322429?searchresult=1).
1.1.2.4. Con: Only [37.6%](https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/how-many-adults-are-at-risk-of-serious-illness-if-infected-with-coronavirus/) of adults in the US are at risk of serious complications arising from Covid-19. This percentage decreases even further for younger age groups.
1.1.2.4.1. Con: That is still a population of tens of millions of people who will suffer needlessly by not taking a vaccine.
1.1.3. Pro: A vaccine [stimulates](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/vpd-vac-basics.html) the production of antibodies that can then be used to fight off Covid-19, if the virus is encountered.
1.1.4. Con: A vaccine-induced dependency, even a symbolic one, of humankind on medicine might be detrimental.
1.1.4.1. Con: We are currently dependent on vaccines too.
1.1.4.1.1. Pro: People have [many different vaccines](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/vaccines-age.html) administered throughout their lives to protect themselves from diseases that would otherwise be fatal.
1.1.4.1.2. Con: While many people take vaccines for [various diseases](https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/vaccine.html), this doesn't necessarily imply a dependence on them.
1.1.4.2. Con: We have depended on vaccines many times throughout history to reduce or eliminate harmful diseases.
1.1.4.2.1. Pro: The [eradication of smallpox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox#Eradication), one of the most deadly diseases in history, was made possible by the use of vaccines.
1.1.4.3. Pro: Vaccine dependence could result in the emergence of [vaccine resistant](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4655118/) viruses.
1.1.4.3.1. Con: Vaccine resistance is [rare](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5378080/) and measures could be put in place to identify vaccines at risk of failure before they are released.
1.1.4.4. Pro: Humankind must strive to be [self-sufficient](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/out-the-darkness/201303/self-sufficiency-essential-aspect-well-being).
1.1.4.4.1. Con: It is not clear why self-sufficiency is morally superior to taking medicines that greatly reduce human suffering.
1.1.5. Con: A vaccine only protects those who are willing to take it from the disease. Many people will not be willing to take a vaccine.
1.1.5.1. Pro: [5% of people](https://ourworldindata.org/support-for-vaccination) across the world disagree that vaccines are effective.
1.1.5.1.1. Con: Achieving herd immunity for Covid-19 is [estimated](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-much-of-the-population-will-need-to-be-vaccinated-until-the-pandemic-is-over/)(The estimate for COVID-19 is that roughly 70% to 85% of the population will need to be vaccinated to reach the herd immunity threshold, although this will likely be a moving target as we move into different stages of the pandemic.) to require around 70-85% vaccination levels, so it is okay if 5% of the world doesn't get vaccinated.
1.1.5.1.2. Pro: This number is substantially [higher](https://data.cdc.gov/stories/s/Vaccine-Hesitancy-for-COVID-19/cnd2-a6zw/) for the Covid-19 vaccine.
1.1.5.2. Pro: [7%](https://ourworldindata.org/support-for-vaccination) of the global population disagrees that vaccines are safe.
1.1.5.2.1. Pro: Many people are worried that the Covid-19 vaccines will have unknown long-term side effects.
1.1.5.2.1.1. Con: Scientific evidence [strongly suggests](https://www.muhealth.org/our-stories/how-do-we-know-covid-19-vaccine-wont-have-long-term-side-effects) that any long term side effects from the technology used to produce Covid-19 vaccines is highly unlikely.
1.1.5.2.1.2. Pro: The speed at which Covid-19 vaccines went from conception to deployment was [unprecedented](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03626-1) in modern medicine, causing some people to doubt its safety.
1.1.5.2.2. Pro: Many people are worried about serious [side effects](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57934379)(In May, Clapton said he had experienced a "severe" reaction to the AstraZeneca vaccine. In a letter to Mr Monotti, he blamed "propaganda" for overstating the safety of the vaccine. He added that he feared the "disastrous" reaction would leave him unable to play music again.) that can result from receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.
1.1.5.2.2.1. Con: There is [overwhelming evidence](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/adverse-events.html) to support the safety of approved Covid-19 vaccines, and any serious side effects have been found to be extremely rare.
1.1.5.3. Con: Governments can implement measures which mandate the population to take vaccines.
1.1.5.3.1. Con: Some reports [indicate](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/06/07/imposing-vaccine-mandates-may-be-counterproductive-our-research-suggests/)(Mandating vaccination may be unavoidable in some cases. But our new evidence from Germany suggests that it could hurt voluntary compliance, prolonging the pandemic and raising its social costs.) that vaccine mandates would dampen public trust in institutions and prove counterproductive to fighting Covid-19.
1.1.5.3.2. Pro: A study found that the majority of people [support](https://news.psu.edu/story/655266/2021/04/19/research/many-americans-say-they-would-support-covid-19-vaccine-mandates) vaccine mandates in certain circumstances, such as for educational workers.
1.2. Con: It will be difficult to procure vaccines in suitable amounts.
1.2.1. Con: [mRNA technology](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html) is currently being used to manufacture and ship vaccines from [Pfizer](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Pfizer-BioNTech.html) and [other vaccine manufacturers](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56226979) who are currently being contracted to supply the COVID-19 vaccines.
1.2.2. Pro: Many [developing countries](https://www.eiu.com/n/85-poor-countries-will-not-have-access-to-coronavirus-vaccines/) will not have full access to a vaccine until at least 2023.
1.2.2.1. Con: After just 42 days, the COVAX distributed vaccines [reached](https://www.who.int/news/item/08-04-2021-covax-reaches-over-100-economies-42-days-after-first-international-delivery) over 100 countries, indicating that all countries should have access to a vaccine within a reasonable amount of time.
1.2.2.2. Pro: Sub-Saharan Africa [lacks](https://blogs.worldbank.org/health/calculating-sub-saharan-africas-covid-vaccination-financing-gap) the resources to procure and distribute vaccines without large-scale international aid.
1.2.2.2.1. Pro: Some African countries are already suffering from [shortages](https://www.bbc.com/news/56100076)(Many African countries followed advice from the WHO to administer as many first doses as possible and not stockpile vaccines for second doses...These factors have contributed to a major shortage of doses for second jabs, principally of the AstraZeneca vaccine.) after failing to receive the second doses for some vaccines.
1.2.2.2.2. Pro: It is estimated that many African countries will not be able to reach their [goal](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/07/16/world/africa/africa-vaccination-rollout.html)(But only about 1 percent of Africans have been fully vaccinated. And even the African Union’s modest goal of getting 20 percent of the population vaccinated by the end of 2021 seems out of reach.) of 20% vaccination by the end of 2021.
1.2.2.3. Pro: Rich countries have been accused of [deliberately restricting](https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jun/24/rich-countries-deliberately-keeping-covid-vaccines-from-africa-says-envoy) poor countries' access to vaccines.
1.2.2.4. Con: In [March 2021](https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2021/march/20210310_covid19-vaccines), rich nations were able to vaccinate one person every second, while the poorest nations were struggling to procure vaccine doses.
1.2.3. Con: In just six months \(by July 2021\), over a quarter of the world's population had [received](https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations) at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
1.2.3.1. Con: The majority of these vaccinations were [concentrated](https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations) in a small number of wealthy countries, where distribution is easier than in developing nations. It is possible that the pace will slow down when attempting to vaccinate places with poorer infrastructure.
1.2.4. Con: This difficulty should not be reason enough to abandon vaccines altogether, but to make an effort to overcome the challenges associated with procurement.
1.2.4.1. Pro: Several successful [vaccination drives](https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/vaccine-history/developments-by-year) throughout history were the result of prolonged effort and determination.
1.2.5. Pro: [COVAX](https://www.who.int/initiatives/act-accelerator/covax), which was [designed](https://theconversation.com/covax-is-failing-to-halt-the-covid-19-pandemic-heres-why-and-how-to-fix-it-162146) to provide equitable access to vaccines, has [failed](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/exclusive-let-down-by-rich-failing-poor-global-vaccine-scheme-be-shaken-up-2021-06-23/)(The COVAX programme is far short of its target of delivering 2 billion doses by the end of the year, but does expect a big increase in supplies by early 2022, and wants to make sure that those, at least, reach the countries in direst need.) to meet its targets for vaccine distribution.
1.2.5.1. Con: These setbacks are likely temporary and will be alleviated over time if there is the will to [fix](https://time.com/6047516/covax-covid-19-vaccine-access/) them.
1.2.5.1.1. Pro: The US [recently pledged](https://reliefweb.int/report/world/when-covid-19-vaccines-are-not-enough-ensuring-delivery-last-mile) to donate excess vaccines to developing countries.
1.2.5.2. Pro: While G7 countries have pledged to send 1bn vaccine doses, this is [far lower](https://www.euronews.com/2021/06/12/g7-covid-19-vaccine-pledge-is-not-enough-says-who-chief) than the number \(11 bn\) that the WHO has estimated is needed.
1.2.6. Pro: Vaccine production is currently insufficient for global inoculation against Covid-19, and will likely remain insufficient for the next couple of years.
1.2.6.1. Con: Some estimates [suggest](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00727-3)(A larger figure was published last week in an analysis from the Global Health Innovation Center at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. The centre’s researchers aggregated publicly announced forecasts from vaccine makers, which add up to around 12 billion doses by the end of the year.) that vaccine manufacturers will be able to produce 12 billion doses by the end of 2021.
1.2.6.1.1. Con: Even if vaccines are produced in sufficient amounts, [problems](https://www.barrons.com/articles/a-plan-to-break-the-vaccine-manufacturing-bottleneck-51621952245) with supply chains and distribution will likely persist for several years.
1.2.6.1.1.1. Pro: The transportation of vaccines that have to be stored at -70C is [extremely difficult](https://www.kearney.com/health/article/?/a/could-the-supply-chain-become-the-covid-19-vaccination-bottleneck) to do on a large scale.
1.2.6.1.1.1.1. Pro: Once thawed, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines must be [administered](https://www.abc10.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/shelf-life-pfizer-moderna-johnson-johnson-vaccines/103-12970cee-e141-408e-bce5-1f115ddb984a)(According to the CDC, both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines take a few hours to thaw and must be administered quickly once they are no longer being refrigerated. The Pfizer vaccine is only stable for six hours at room temperature. A punctured Moderna vaccine vial is viable for up to 12 hours, the CDC says.) within hours, making it probable that many of these vaccines will be wasted if people do not show up at their appointed time.
1.2.6.1.1.1.1.1. Con: Places like South Korea have tried to alleviate these problems by [developing](http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?Seq_Code=161717&lang=e) an app that people can use to sign up for "no show" vaccines in their area.
1.2.6.1.1.1.1.2. Pro: The WHO has reported that, even in standard circumstances, [50% of vaccines](https://www.vox.com/21552934/moderna-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-biontech-coronavirus-cold-chain) go to waste because of improper storage conditions. This number is likely to be worsened due to the immense pressure of unloading a larger quantity of vaccines in a shorter amount of time than usual.
1.2.6.1.1.1.1.3. Pro: The short half-life of the vaccines has compelled many healthcare workers to throw away [thousands](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/thousands-covid-19-vaccines-wind-garbage-because-fed-state-guidelines-n1254364) of vaccines that are left over at the end of the day.
1.2.6.1.1.1.2. Con: Not all vaccines have to be stored at such cold temperatures. Many can be [stored](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56242617) under standard storage conditions.
1.2.6.1.1.2. Pro: Some experts worry that a [shortage](https://www.fiercepharma.com/manufacturing/next-big-covid-19-bottleneck-a-shortage-trained-vaccine-workers-pharmas-and) of qualified staff at production facilities could prolong the vaccine rollout.
1.2.6.1.1.2.1. Con: Some educational institutions are already [changing](https://bioprocessintl.com/business/careers/biomanufacturing-workforce-development-fostering-talent-during-and-after-the-pandemic/) their curriculum to better prepare people to enter the vaccine manufacturing workforce.
1.2.6.1.1.2.2. Con: There are some [programs available](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22749796/)(The training consisted of a three-week industry-focused course for participants from institutions supported by the BARDA and WHO influenza vaccine production capacity building program. The curriculum was divided into six components: \(1\) biosafety, \(2\) cell culture and growth of cells in bioreactors, \(3\) virus assays and inactivation, \(4\) scale-up strategies, \(5\) downstream processing, and \(6\) egg- and cell-based vaccine production and cGMP.) that provide vaccine manufacturing training in just three weeks.
1.2.6.1.1.2.3. Pro: Popular job searching websites [show](https://www.indeed.com/q-Vaccine-Manufacturing-jobs.html) hundreds or thousands of open positions in the vaccine manufacturing field.
1.2.6.1.1.3. Con: Measures are already being put in place to [improve](https://hbr.org/2021/05/4-strategies-to-boost-the-global-supply-of-covid-19-vaccines) the vaccine supply chain.
1.2.6.1.2. Pro: Global vaccine manufacturing capabilities are [rapidly increasing](https://www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com/article/157378/trends-in-the-vaccine-contract-manufacturing-market/)(According to the report, commercial vaccine contract manufacturing accounted for over 64 percent of the market in 2020, primarily as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The clinical vaccine contract manufacturing market is expected to experience an absolute growth of over 113 percent and an incremental growth of over $492 million over the forecast period.) as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
1.2.6.1.2.1. Pro: New vaccine [manufacturing hubs](http://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=11409), such as in South Korea, are in the process of being created.
1.2.6.1.2.2. Pro: The [scale and pace](https://www.vaccineseurope.eu/from-zero-to-billions-the-story-of-covid-19-vaccines) at which vaccines are being produced is unprecedented in medical history.
1.2.6.1.2.3. Con: This figure [does not account for](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00727-3) political delays, such as export controls and foreign policy concerns, that may delay or divert vaccine deployment.
1.2.6.2. Pro: Major vaccine manufacturers [have stated](https://www.ft.com/content/a832d5d7-4a7f-42cc-850d-8757f19c3b6b) that sufficient vaccines will not be produced to inoculate the entire world until the end of 2024.
1.3. Con: Resources should be focused on containing the spread of Covid-19 through methods that have proven effective instead of attempting to cure the disease.
1.3.1. Pro: Lockdowns are also [effective](https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-lockdowns/fact-check-studies-show-covid-19-lockdowns-have-saved-lives-idUSKBN2842WS) in fighting Covid-19, potentially saving millions of lives.
1.3.1.1. Pro: Just by social distancing and not coming in contact with others outside your family, the Covid-19 pandemic can be stopped.
1.3.1.1.1. Con: This is unrealistic, as the global economy relies on people leaving their homes to produce and transport items necessary for survival.
1.3.1.1.1.1. Pro: There are over [55 million](https://www.epi.org/blog/who-are-essential-workers-a-comprehensive-look-at-their-wages-demographics-and-unionization-rates/) 'essential workers' in the US alone who are needed to perform their jobs if society is to function.
1.3.1.1.1.2. Con: The Covid-19 pandemic has [spurred](https://www.foley.com/en/insights/publications/2020/08/covid-19-adoption-autonomous-vehicle-technology) the development of [autonomous technology](https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/autonomous-delivery-robots-market-to-see-huge-growth-by-2027-top-key-players-covid-19-impact-analysis-2021-05-25) that can be used to deliver goods, reducing the number of humans needed.
1.3.1.1.1.2.1. Con: This could potentially result in widespread job losses, which will be bad for people's livelihood.
1.3.1.1.1.3. Pro: Only those with white collar jobs that can be performed online have the luxury of working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic.
1.3.1.1.1.3.1. Pro: Lockdowns in many developing countries forced [millions of people](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-17/living-under-indias-coronavirus-lockdown-good-bad-ugly/12241654)(When India's lockdown was announced, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave just four hours' notice, leaving millions of migrant workers who live hand-to-mouth without an income or a bed as factories and construction sites closed down.) into poverty, following the loss of their jobs.
1.3.1.1.2. Pro: Since the elderly are [by far](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/investigations-discovery/hospitalization-death-by-age.html) the group most susceptible to severe Covid-19 symptoms, if they remain isolated, the worst effects of the disease will be mitigated.
1.3.1.1.2.1. Con: It is unethical to force the elderly to remain isolated instead of developing a vaccine that could allow them to live normally.
1.3.1.1.2.1.1. Pro: Loneliness caused by prolonged isolation results in [many negative health effects](https://www.stpaulseniors.org/senior-care-blog/the-negative-health-effects-of-loneliness-in-seniors/) for senior citizens.
1.3.1.1.2.2. Con: There are over [703 million](https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/ageing/WorldPopulationAgeing2019-Highlights.pdf)(There were 703 million persons aged 65 years or over in the world in 2019. The number of older persons is projected to double to 1.5 billion in 2050. Globally, the share of the population aged 65 years or over increased from 6 per cent in 1990 to 9 per cent in 2019.) elderly people around the world \(p.1\). It is unfeasible to isolate such a large percentage of the population.
1.3.1.1.2.2.1. Pro: Elderly people often live with their families, which comprise of younger age groups. Unless the rest of the family is also isolated, this would be very difficult to accomplish.
1.3.1.1.2.3. Pro: Because many elderly people do not work, having them remain isolated will not be too detrimental to the economy.
1.3.1.1.2.3.1. Con: In recent years, the percentage of elderly workers has [grown](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/productiveaging/dataandstatistics.html) in many countries with an aging population.
1.3.1.1.3. Con: Long term isolation comes with many negative repercussions for the entire family.
1.3.1.1.3.1. Pro: Isolating with family can [increase](https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/domestic-abuse-and-covid-19-a-year-into-the-pandemic/) the risk of domestic violence and [reduce](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7264607/) options for victims to find support.
1.3.1.1.3.2. Pro: Children unable to attend school suffer [learning loss](https://www.pnas.org/content/118/17/e2022376118)(The Netherlands underwent only a relatively short lockdown \(8 wk\) and features an equitable system of school funding and the world’s highest rate of broadband access. Still, our results reveal a learning loss of about 3 percentile points or 0.08 standard deviations. The effect is equivalent to one-fifth of a school year, the same period that schools remained closed. Losses are up to 60% larger among students from less-educated homes, confirming worries about the uneven toll of the pandemic on children and families.) and [negative health effects](https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/5/1/e001043)(Studies from Australia, Spain and China showed an increase in depressive symptoms and decrease in life satisfaction. A decrease in physical activity and increase in unhealthy food consumption were shown in studies from two countries. There was a decrease in the number of visits to the emergency department in four countries, an increase in child mortality in Cameroon and a decrease by over 50% of immunisations administered in Pakistan. A significant drop of 39% in child protection medical examination referrals during 2020 compared with the previous years was found in the UK, a decrease in allegations of child abuse and neglect by almost one-third due to school closures in Florida, and an increase in the number of children with physical child abuse trauma was found in one centre in the USA.).
1.3.1.1.3.3. Pro: -> See 1.3.1.1.2.2.1.
1.3.1.2. Con: Lockdowns cause [severe economic disruption](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41885-020-00066-z)(Our estimates suggest that the lockdown reduces global output by about 33% at the peak of the lockdown, with the yearly impact being more than 9% of annual GDP.) and are unsustainable in the long term.
1.3.1.2.1. Pro: Lockdowns in the UK alone [cost](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/22/a-year-of-covid-lockdowns-has-cost-the-uk-economy-251bn-study-says) more than £251 billion.
1.3.1.2.2. Pro: Measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 [resulted](https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19s-toll-on-u-s-business-200-000-extra-closures-in-pandemics-first-year-11618580619)(The pandemic resulted in the permanent closure of roughly 200,000 U.S. establishments above historical levels during the first year of the viral outbreak, according to a study released Thursday by economists at the Fed.) in 200,000 businesses closing permanently in the US.
1.3.1.3. Con: Lockdowns are unlikely to completely [eradicate](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00396-2)(“Eradicating this virus right now from the world is a lot like trying to plan the construction of a stepping-stone pathway to the Moon. It’s unrealistic,” says Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.) the virus, making it likely that the virus will reemerge after lockdowns end.
1.3.2. Con: The point of the global medical industry is to cure diseases. It is unclear why it should not attempt to cure Covid-19 like any other disease.
1.3.2.1. Pro: Advances in medical science and technology [cured](https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/rare/12-deadly-diseases-cured-in-the-20th-century.htm) many deadly diseases throughout the 20th century, suggesting that Covid-19 can also be cured if we try.
1.3.3. Pro: It is more realistic to keep using tested social distancing methods such as monitoring, testing, and contact tracing.
1.3.3.1. Pro: With cheap, [rapid antigen tests](https://www.rapidtests.org/), mass testing to minimize the spread of the virus can be performed.
1.3.3.1.1. Con: Rapid test kits are [less accurate](https://www.healthline.com/health/how-accurate-are-rapid-covid-tests#how-accurate-is-it) than traditional PCR tests.
1.3.3.1.2. Con: This is dependent on billions of people responsibly getting tested and the logistical support to make this possible, neither of which is realistic.
1.3.3.2. Con: These methods require ongoing disruptions to normal life. A vaccine merely requires one or two trips to a vaccination center, which is much more convenient overall.
1.3.3.2.1. Pro: Social distancing [requires](https://www.texastribune.org/2020/06/26/texas-bars-restaurants-coronavirus-greg-abbott/) many businesses to operate at less than full capacity, which prohibits them from reaching their full economic potential.
1.3.3.2.2. Pro: Once an area's population reaches a sufficient vaccination level, Covid-19 restrictions like mask wearing and social distancing are often [abandoned](https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/government-elections/info-2020/coronavirus-state-restrictions.html). This suggests that such restrictions are less convenient than vaccines.
1.3.3.3. Con: The success of social distancing methods relies on [a lot of assumptions](https://www.cebm.net/covid-19/what-is-the-evidence-to-support-the-2-metre-social-distancing-rule-to-reduce-covid-19-transmission/), which might not be true.
1.3.3.3.1. Pro: The biggest assumption with social distancing is that people will actually follow the guidelines, which has proven [not to be the case](https://www.forbes.com/sites/petertaylor/2020/05/25/thousands-of-americans-flagrantly-violated-cdc-social-distancing-guidelines-this-memorial-day-weekend-here-are-the-worst-offenders/) in many instances.
1.3.3.3.2. Con: Several studies have [found](https://www.news-medical.net/news/20201207/How-effective-is-social-distancing-in-preventing-SARS-CoV-2-transmission-A-New-York-case-study.aspx)(The team found that the control policies implemented in New York City reduced the number of infections by 72 percent and the number of deaths by 76 percent by the end of 2020.) that social distancing is effective at reducing the transmission of Covid-19.
1.3.3.4. Con: Social distancing and other recovery methods for Covid-19 do not provide immunity from the virus. Thus, we need something for the long run.
1.3.3.5. Pro: [New Zealand](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/2020/04/what-new-zealand-did-right-in-battling-coronavirus/) was able to effectively fight the Covid-19 pandemic through strict monitoring and testing.
1.3.3.5.1. Con: While case numbers have remained very low, New Zealand has [not completely eliminated](https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-data-and-statistics/covid-19-current-cases) Covid-19.
1.3.3.5.1.1. Con: While Covid-19 has not been fully eliminated, case numbers are negligible. In late June 2021, only [2 cases](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53274085) of Covid-19 were documented.
1.3.3.5.2. Con: The success of New Zealand’s Covid-19 elimination strategy is [unlikely to be replicated in other countries](https://time.com/5824042/new-zealand-coronavirus-elimination/).
1.3.3.5.2.1. Pro: As an [island nation](https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Zealand), New Zealand can more effectively close its borders than countries with land crossings.
1.3.3.5.2.2. Pro: The population density of New Zealand, which is an essential factor influencing the spread of Covid-19, is [extremely low](https://time.com/5824042/new-zealand-coronavirus-elimination/) compared to other countries.
1.3.3.5.2.2.1. Pro: Only [1.66 million people live in Auckland](https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/auckland-plan/about-the-auckland-plan/Pages/aucklands-population.aspx), the biggest city of New Zealand. Its population density is less than one-twentieth of [New York City's population](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_New_York_City).
1.4. Con: There are other medical alternatives to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
1.4.1. Con: Although there are medical alternatives to handling the symptoms of Covid-19, this does not prove that they are superior alternatives to vaccination.
1.4.1.1. Pro: Vaccines are a preemptive defense that can save people pain by [ensuring that](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/downloads/vacsafe-understand-color-office.pdf), if infected, they are able to fight off the virus without suffering any serious symptoms \(p.1\).
1.4.1.2. Con: Alternative treatments could be superior to vaccines if vaccines are not widely available in a reasonable amount of time.
1.4.2. Pro: Pfizer is [developing](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/27/pfizer-at-home-covid-pill-could-be-available-by-year-end-ceo-albert-bourla-says.html) a pill that can treat Covid-19, and it is expected to be available by the end of 2021.
1.4.2.1. Pro: Several other companies have also [joined the race](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/inside-race-find-covid-19-treatment-pill-2021-05-21/) to find a pill that will offer effective treatment of Covid-19. It is likely that at least one of these will be successful in the near term.
1.4.2.2. Con: Assuming the successful development of a Covid-19 treatment, the same supply chain and distribution [problems](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736\(21\)00306-8/fulltext) that hinder vaccine roll outs will affect pill roll outs, further lengthening the pandemic.
1.4.3. Pro: A variety of medical cures were discussed for Covid-19 early in the pandemic.
1.4.3.1. Pro: Early in the pandemic, it was thought that sufficient [vitamin D](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-vitamin-d-help-protect-against-covid/) levels were associated with decreased risk for Covid-19 infection, lower ICU admissions, and mortality.
1.4.3.1.1. Con: Correlations between vitamin D and Covid-19 are [tenuous](https://www.bbc.com/news/health-56180921) at best and such studies often fail to uphold standards of scientific rigor.
1.4.3.1.2. Con: Sufficient levels of vitamin D are merely [one indication](https://www.webmd.com/lung/vitamin-d-covid-19-what-to-know#1) of having a healthy immune system, and it is in no way comparable to having a vaccine in terms of protection from Covid-19.
1.4.3.2. Con: All of these supposed cures were later found to be ineffective, especially in comparison with the [high levels of protection](https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/covid-19-vaccine-comparison) conferred on those who receive high quality vaccines.
1.4.3.3. Pro: Early in the pandemic, plasma therapy showed [favorable results](https://www.firstpost.com/health/coronavirus-outbreak-what-is-plasma-therapy-is-it-the-miracle-cure-the-world-has-been-waiting-for-8254311.html) to deal with severe cases of Covid-19.
1.4.3.3.1. Con: Official health organizations in the US [do not recommend](https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapies/anti-sars-cov-2-antibody-products/convalescent-plasma/)(Data from several other randomized clinical trials, all of which were underpowered, have not demonstrated the efficacy of convalescent plasma for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.) using plasma therapy to treat Covid-19.
1.4.3.3.2. Con: A large number of studies [found](https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/tables/table-3b/) no benefit to using plasma therapy to treat Covid-19.
1.4.3.3.2.1. Pro: One trial to use plasma therapy to treat Covid-19 was [called off](https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-halts-trial-covid-19-convalescent-plasma-emergency-department-patients-mild-symptoms) after finding that there was no significant benefit to its use.
1.4.3.3.3. Pro: In Pakistan, passive immunization using plasma therapy showed [successful results in clinical trials](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2218046/1-pakistans-first-covid-19-patient-recovers-plasma-therapy/?amp=1).
1.4.3.3.4. Pro: [India](https://www.news18.com/news/india/plasma-therapy-to-treat-serious-covid-19-patients-at-rajasthan-hospital-shows-promising-results-2613951.html) used plasma therapy to treat seriously infected Covid-19 patients, and the treatment initially showed successful results.
1.4.3.3.4.1. Con: India later [dropped](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/india-drops-plasma-therapy-from-covid-19-management-guidelines-254214) plasma therapy from its Covid-19 treatment guidelines after it was found to be ineffective.
1.4.3.3.5. Con: Plasma therapy or transfusion has [medical risks and side effects](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16377549/).
1.4.3.4. Pro: Early in the pandemic, it was thought that some existing antivirals, such as [remdesivir](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2007016) and [chloroquine](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7152897/), could have had some useful effects against Covid-19.
1.4.3.4.1. Con: These drugs have limited efficacy and availability, and are not a substitute for vaccination.
1.4.3.4.1.1. Pro: Remdesivir is [not recommended](https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapies/antiviral-therapy/remdesivir/)(Because both remdesivir formulations contain SBECD, patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate \(eGFR\) of \<50 mL/min were excluded from some clinical trials of remdesivir; other trials had an eGFR cutoff of \<30 mL/min. Remdesivir is not recommended for patients with an eGFR \<30 mL/min due to lack of data.) for use in all Covid-19 patients due to potential adverse side effects.
1.4.3.4.1.2. Pro: As more studies were conducted, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine were found to be ineffective and health organizations [advised against](https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapies/antiviral-therapy/chloroquine-or-hydroxychloroquine-and-or-azithromycin/)(The COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel \(the Panel\) recommends against the use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine and/or azithromycin for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients \(AI\) and in nonhospitalized patients \(AIIa\).) their use.
1.5. Pro: Vaccines will most effectively bring the pandemic under control, while also minimizing the possibility of a future outbreak of Covid-19.
1.5.1. Pro: Contracting and recovering from Covid-19 does not confer permanent immunity or protection onto the infected, making a vaccine even more important.
1.5.1.1. Con: A vaccine will only confer a [similar degree](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01442-9) of immunity or protection as primary infection itself would.
1.5.1.1.1. Con: The immunity conferred by vaccines can be [supplemented](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128021033000225#s0090)(The response to a booster dose is characterized by a shorter lag period and is also prompt, powerful, and prolonged—producing antibodies which last for longer periods with high avidity \(capacity to bind to antigen is high\). Both IgM and IgG antibodies are produced due to collaboration between B cells and T cells. This accelerated response is attributed to immunological memory and forms the basis of vaccination and revaccination.) by booster doses, which can ensure that antibodies persist for longer and have a higher affinity for binding to [antigens](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002224.htm).
1.5.1.1.1.1. Pro: Pfizer is attempting to [obtain authorization](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/pfizer-ask-fda-authorize-booster-dose-covid-vaccine-delta-variant-spreads-2021-07-08/) for booster shots.
1.5.1.1.2. Pro: [According to data](https://www.timesofisrael.com/data-appears-to-indicate-covid-vaccine-protection-starts-fading-after-6-months/) obtained from Israel, there are early signs that the protection conferred by vaccines might wane after some time, making people once more susceptible to Covid-19.
1.5.1.1.2.1. Con: Until this has been confirmed, it is dangerous to pursue a "[third dose](https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1659)" policy.
1.5.1.1.2.1.1. Pro: A third dose may have [more dangerous](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/should-you-get-a-third-covid-vaccine-dose-booster-shots-explained.html) or severe side effects than either the first or second dose.
1.5.1.1.2.1.2. Pro: A third dose will divert [much needed vaccines](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-says-countries-should-not-order-covid-19-boosters-while-others-still-need-2021-07-12/) from the developing world.
1.5.1.1.2.1.2.1. Pro: If the developing world population is not vaccinated, SARS-CoV-2 will [continue to mutate](https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/02/13/1018259/why-a-failure-to-vaccinate-the-world-will-put-us-all-at-risk/) into more transmissible and severe strains, which puts the entire global community at risk.
1.5.1.1.2.1.2.2. Pro: In July 2021, [Israel offered](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-offers-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-booster-shots-adults-risk-2021-07-11/) the option of a third dose of Pfizer to adult citizens with weak immune systems.
1.5.1.1.2.1.3. Con: It is best to be prepared for this outcome, so that action can be taken quickly and decisively if this hypothesis is confirmed.
1.5.1.1.2.1.3.1. Pro: The NHS [is preparing](https://www.bbc.com/news/health-57667987) booster jabs for individuals above the age of 50 before the onset of winter 2021.
1.5.1.1.2.2. Con: Health experts in Israel [emphasized](https://www.timesofisrael.com/data-appears-to-indicate-covid-vaccine-protection-starts-fading-after-6-months/)(However, some experts working with the Health Ministry cautioned that it was too early to draw conclusions, since the sample size was too small and those who were vaccinated first are mostly the elderly, who have a weaker immune system to begin with.) that this result is inconclusive.
1.5.1.1.3. Con: Many experts have [argued](https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/why-covid-19-vaccines-offer-better-protection-than-infection.html) that vaccination offers significantly more protection against Covid-19 than natural infection.
1.5.1.2. Pro: There have been instances of [reinfection](https://mmnews.tv/pakistan-confirms-first-reinfection-case-of-coronavirus/) among those who have fully recovered from Covid-19.
1.5.1.2.1. Con: One study [found](https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/study-covid-19-reinfection-rate-less-than-1-for-those-who-had-severe-illness) that reinfection rates are less than 1% for those with severe Covid-19 symptoms.
1.5.1.2.2. Pro: Reinfection rates seem to be [correlated](https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article252158373.html)(But people with asthma or a nicotine dependence faced a nearly two and three times higher risk of COVID-19 reinfection, respectively. What’s more, nonwhite patients, particularly Black and Hispanic people, were about two times more likely to be reinfected.) with specific risk factors in certain populations.
1.5.1.2.3. Con: There might be [other explanations](https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-05-17/Can-coronavirus-patients-get-reinfected-after-full-recovery--QyWAzhfpni/index.html) for fully recovered patients testing positive for Covid-19 again.
1.5.1.3. Pro: Some [studies](https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/studies-report-rapid-loss-of-covid-19-antibodies-67650) showed that many Covid-19 recovered patients lost their immunity within, at worst, a few weeks and at best, a few months.
1.5.1.3.1. Con: Studies have found that Covid-19 recovered patients usually have immunity for about 8 months and potentially even longer.
1.5.1.3.1.1. Pro: A [study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7919858/)(95% of individuals were still positive for at least three out of five SARS-CoV-2 immune memory responses) found that while each component of the immune memory response to SARS-CoV-2 had different kinetics, 95% of Covid-19 recovered patients were positive for three of the five SARS-CoV-2 memory responses 8 months post-recovery.
1.5.1.3.1.1.1. Pro: These can at least [blunt the effect](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7919858/)(resting immune memory compartments can potentially contribute in meaningful ways to protective immunity against pneumonia or severe secondary COVID-19. The presence of sub-sterilizing neutralizing antibody titers at the time of SARS-CoV-2 exposure would blunt the size of the initial infection, and may provide an added contribution to limiting COVID-19 severity, based on observations of protective immunity for other human respiratory viral infections) of a secondary infection, so that in the majority of cases, it is harmless.
1.5.1.3.1.2. Pro: Even most individuals who recover from a mild case of Covid-19 [produce antibodies](https://www.cell.com/immunity/fulltext/S1074-7613\(20\)30445-3)(Neutralizing and spike-specific antibody production persists for at least 5–7 months) for at least 5 to 7 months, potentially even longer.
1.5.1.3.1.3. Con: Until there is sufficient evidence to prove that immunity lasts more permanently, vaccines remain the safest option.
1.5.2. Pro: Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to achieve 'herd immunity'.
1.5.2.1. Con: The concept of 'herd immunity' is considered a flawed approach to tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.
1.5.2.1.1. Pro: Herd immunity is likely to be [unattainable](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00728-2) for many countries over the long term.
1.5.2.1.1.1. Pro: Factors such as vaccine hesitancy, new SARS-CoV-2 variants, and the delayed arrival of vaccination for children [significantly reduce](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00728-2) the possibility of achieving herd immunity in the near future.
1.5.2.1.2. Pro: Herd immunity [does not give](https://vk.ovg.ox.ac.uk/vk/herd-immunity) a high level of individual protection to a person.
1.5.2.1.3. Con: This is only true in the case of Covid-19 being allowed to spread naturally among people to infect and confer immunity upon them - vaccinations are a safer route to an end goal \(herd immunity\) that would be considered a [successful outcome](https://www.muhealth.org/our-stories/covid-19-vaccine-key-reaching-herd-immunity).
1.5.2.1.3.1. Pro: Through herd immunity, members of the population who have not been vaccinated are [also protected.](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/herd-immunity-and-coronavirus/art-20486808#:~:text=Herd%20immunity%20makes%20it%20possible,handful%20of%20COVID-19%20vaccines.)
1.5.2.2. Pro: Vaccinated individuals [do not transmit](https://www.healthline.com/health-news/experts-say-its-unlikely-fully-vaccinated-people-are-unknowingly-spreading-covid-19) Covid-19 to others.
1.5.2.2.1. Pro: In April 2021, Public Health England showed that those who were vaccinated were [half as likely](https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/mounting-evidence-suggests-covid-vaccines-do-reduce-transmission-how-does-work) to transmit Covid-19 than those who were not.
1.5.2.2.2. Con: While the rate of Covid-19 transmission has been shown to decrease among vaccinated individuals, it still [remains possible](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-vaccinated-people-transmit-covid-19-to-others/).
1.5.2.3. Pro: Herd immunity [protects groups in the community](https://vk.ovg.ox.ac.uk/vk/herd-immunity) who are particularly vulnerable to diseases, but often cannot safely receive vaccines.
1.5.3. Con: The virus may mutate, making the vaccine redundant.
1.5.3.1. Con: A virus' ability to mutate is not a valid reason to stop making a vaccine. Once the base formula is perfected, it can simply be tweaked to adjust to the mutations.
1.5.3.1.1. Pro: The influenza vaccine is administered to millions of people each year and can be easily [adjusted](https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm) to combat new strains.
1.5.3.1.2. Pro: Pfizer-BioNTech are [carrying out research](https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-initiate-study-part-broad-development) to determine the sort of adaptations they need to make for the vaccine to stay effective against variants.
1.5.3.1.3. Pro: The vaccine [can be adapted](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-021-00573-0) to ensure it is able to continue providing protection to people even after mutations occur.
1.5.3.1.4. Con: Even if those tweaks are made, it doesn't solve [supply chain problems](https://www.pharmtech.com/view/supply-chain-challenges-creating-hurdles-to-covid-19-vaccine-production) that would make it difficult to continuously roll out new vaccines around the world.
1.5.3.2. Pro: The Covid-19 virus won't stay the same forever. A vaccine made for the current Covid-19 strand will be less effective for subsequent variants of the virus.
1.5.3.2.1. Con: Vaccine makers are [exploring ways](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00241-6) in which they can redesign their shots so that people are protected against Covid-19 variants as well.
1.5.3.2.2. Pro: Some evidence has emerged that existing vaccines are [less effective](https://www.ft.com/content/5a24d39a-a702-40d2-876d-b12a524dc9a5) against the Delta variant than the original strand of the virus.
1.5.3.3. Pro: There is no telling how the virus will mutate or what it will mutate into. For all we know, the pandemic may last a while even with a vaccine present.
1.5.3.4. Con: -> See 1.5.1.1.1.
1.5.3.5. Pro: Early in the pandemic, scientists reported that SARS-CoV-2 was [slowly mutating](https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/07/pandemic-virus-slowly-mutating-it-getting-more-dangerous).
1.5.3.5.1. Con: These mutations are [slow, usually not deleterious, and occur in specific regions](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-021-00573-0) of the virus. A vaccine would be specific to the more stable part of the virus.
1.6. Pro: A vaccine would be better for the economy of affected countries.
1.6.1. Pro: A globally distributed vaccine will allow international travel to resume.
1.6.1.1. Pro: The Covid-19 pandemic has been responsible for an estimated [100 million jobs](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1104835/coronavirus-travel-tourism-employment-loss/) lost in the tourism sector globally.
1.6.1.2. Pro: International travel [declined](https://www.ustravel.org/toolkit/covid-19-travel-industry-research) 76% in the US during the Covid-19 pandemic.
1.6.1.3. Con: The increase in [domestic travel](https://home.kpmg/au/en/home/insights/2020/12/beyond-covid-19-rise-of-domestic-travel-tourism-australia.html) resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic is better for the environment and local economies.
1.6.1.3.1. Con: Not all countries' tourism industries can be sustained by domestic tourism alone.
1.6.1.3.1.1. Pro: Thailand saw nearly [40 million tourists](https://www.thaiwebsites.com/tourism.asp)(The ever rising number of tourists to Thailand came to an abrupt end from March 2020 onwards. 2020 saw only a total of 6,702,396 tourists, almost all arriving in the first three months of the year. From March 2020 to end August 2020 no tourists were allowed in.) per year before the Covid-19 pandemic, when numbers dropped to virtually zero.
1.6.1.3.1.2. Pro: Travel and tourism contributed [$34.52 billion](https://www.statista.com/statistics/644846/travel-tourism-total-gdp-contribution-turkey/) to the Turkish economy in 2019. This [dropped sharply](https://www.statista.com/statistics/920806/total-tourism-income-in-turkey/) in 2020, due to the pandemic.
1.6.1.3.2. Pro: Aviation, a key component of international travel, is [responsible](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200218-climate-change-how-to-cut-your-carbon-emissions-when-flying)(Around 2.4% of global CO2 emissions come from aviation. Together with other gases and the water vapour trails produced by aircraft, the industry is responsible for around 5% of global warming.) for about 5% of all global warming.
1.6.2. Con: A vaccine will result in the resumption of full-scale globalization, which has many negative consequences.
1.6.2.1. Pro: Globalization [promotes](https://www.grin.com/document/498867) the interests of big corporations over small businesses.
1.6.2.1.1. Con: Small businesses are afforded many new [opportunities](https://www.businessblogshub.com/2017/05/5-ways-how-globalization-impacts-small-businesses/) to grow as a result of globalization.
1.6.2.1.1.1. Pro: The retrenchment of globalization caused by the Covid-19 pandemic was [devastating](https://www.businessinsider.com/in-2020-big-businesses-got-bigger-small-businesses-died-2020-12) to small businesses everywhere.
1.6.2.2. Con: Globalization has [created](https://ecipe.org/publications/the-economic-benefits-of-globalization-for-business-and-consumers/) numerous economic benefits for producers and consumers around the world.
1.6.3. Pro: A fully vaccinated population will allow for an end to lockdowns and social distancing regulations, which will enable businesses to operate at pre-pandemic levels.
1.6.3.1. Pro: -> See 1.3.3.2.1.
1.6.3.2. Con: Most businesses [have adapted](https://iosh.com/coronavirus/how-businesses-have-adapted/) to the Covid-19 pandemic, and continue to operate even with regulations.
1.6.4. Con: Because access to vaccines is limited, wealthier countries with greater access will have a head start on their economic recovery, increasing the wealth disparity between nations.
1.6.4.1. Pro: -> See 1.2.2.
1.6.4.2. Pro: While the US, with relatively high vaccination rates, saw its GDP [grow](https://www.bea.gov/news/2021/gross-domestic-product-state-1st-quarter-2021)(Real gross domestic product \(GDP\) increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the first quarter of 2021, as real GDP for the nation increased at an annual rate of 6.4 percent, according to statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.) 6.4% in the first quarter of 2021, Thailand, whose vaccination rates are low, saw the economy [shrink](https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/thailand/publication/thailand-economic-monitor-july-2021-the-road-to-recovery)(The shock of the second wave caused the economy to contract by -2.6 percent in the first quarter of 2021, following a 6.1 percent drop in GDP in 2020—one of the steepest contractions among Association of Southeast Asian Nations \(ASEAN\) member states.) by 2.6%.
1.6.4.3. Con: In July 2021, India was [projecting](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-economy-may-grow-8-4-10-1-in-2021-22-report-101624639983367.html)("We estimate that gross domestic product \(GDP\) will grow 11.5% in Q1 \(first quarter\) and 8.4-10.1% for the whole year 2021–22," the think-tank said.) 11.5% GDP growth in Q1, despite having only [6%](https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/coronavirus-data-explorer?zoomToSelection=true&pickerSort=asc&pickerMetric=location&Metric=People+fully+vaccinated&Interval=7-day+rolling+average&Relative+to+Population=true&Align+outbreaks=false&country=OWID_WRL~IND) of their population fully vaccinated.
1.6.5. Pro: A vaccine will allow countries to reduce or eliminate time and resources currently spent on testing and treatment and refocus them on economic recovery and longer term preventative measures to improve readiness for future viral outbreaks.
1.6.5.1. Con: It is expected that [$157 billion](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjW2LrQgvTxAhUt_rsIHU3jBW4QFjAAegQIAxAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reuters.com%2Fbusiness%2Fhealthcare-pharmaceuticals%2Fworld-spend-157-billion-covid-19-vaccines-through-2025-report-2021-04-29%2F&usg=AOvVaw1YUriLG0Q9FSa9Clk0MJy-) will be spent on vaccines alone, meaning that not many resources will be freed up to refocus on economic recovery.
1.6.5.2. Pro: The average [cost of Covid-19 treatment](https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/average-cost-hospital-care-covid-19-ranges-51000-78000-based-age) can run into tens of thousands of dollars, placing a huge financial burden both on the state and individuals.
1.6.5.3. Pro: Given the large number of virus on the planet, many scientists [predict](https://khn.org/news/infectious-disease-scientists-preventing-next-pandemic/) that it will only be a matter of time before another, possibly more deadly, pandemic emerges.